36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM - Preamble

Examination Tables

Product data and unit costs were collected for examination tables produced by five manufacturers. The manufacturer’s web sites typically grouped the tables by the following types: treatment tables, manual tables, and power tables. The number of each type of table made by the manufacturers, the number of tables included in the sample, and range of lower cost and higher cost products are summarized below.

Question 44. Does the above sample fairly reflect the range of costs for examination tables?

Treatment tables typically have a flat top. Some models have adjustable backrests, but the backrests typically cannot support patients in a sitting position. Treatment tables typically have a fixed height of 31 inches measured from the floor to the top of the table. The lower cost products have an open base with an H-brace or shelf. The higher cost products have cabinets, drawers, or shelves. Adjustable height treatment tables are available, but are not included in the sample. The MSRP for adjustable height treatment tables ranged from $1,500 to $2,400.

Manual tables typically have a fully articulated, pneumatic backrest. The backrests typically can support patients in a seated position and recline to a lying position. Manual tables typically have a fixed height of 32 inches measured from the floor to the top of the table. Manual tables typically have cabinets, drawers, or shelves.

Power tables have an electric motor that can adjust the table height to as low as 18 inches and as high as 40 inches above the floor on some products. The higher cost products have a fully articulated, pneumatic or powered, backrest that can support patients in a seated position and recline to a lying position. Some power tables have armrests, grab rails, side rails, and cabinets or drawers.